Promoted by Netanyahu, Israel’s Attorney General Must Now Scrutinize Him

His appointment two years ago to the post of attorney general was criticized by some legal experts as too swift a transition into a role that requires absolute independence as the guardian of the law and the public interest.

Although Mr. Netanyahu has blamed the left and the news media of plotting to oust him by legal means because they cannot beat him at the ballot box, Mr. Mandelblit hardly fits the profile of a politically motivated insurgent intent on bringing down the government, often described as the most right-wing and religious in Israel’s history.

Photo

Last year, demonstrators held regular protests against Mr. Netanyahu in front of Mr. Mandelblit’s home east of Tel Aviv.Credit
Dan Balilty/Associated Press

On the contrary, Mr. Mandelblit, who has closely followed the police investigations all along, has been accused of dragging his feet to stall them. What started as small, weekly demonstrations on Saturday nights outside Mr. Mandelblit’s house in the city of Petah Tikva, east of Tel Aviv, recently grew into several mass rallies in Tel Aviv against corruption and what many of the protesters saw as procrastination by the authorities.

The police recommendations relate to two cases in which Mr. Netanyahu is a suspect: a gifts-for-favors affair known as Case 1000, involving the Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and an Australian businessman, James Packer; and a second scandal, called Case 2000, in which Mr. Netanyahu is suspected of back-room dealings with Arnon Mozes, publisher of the popular newspaper Yediot Aharonot, to ensure more favorable coverage.

His supporters say Mr. Mandelblit has exercised caution regarding the cases, aware of the responsibility of potentially bringing down a prime minister. If he indeed decides to press formal charges, Mr. Netanyahu will be the first sitting prime minister in Israel to be indicted.

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But Mr. Mandelblit has not shied from controversy.

In September, he said that he intended to bring fraud charges against Sara Netanyahu, the prime minister’s wife, pending a hearing, accusing her of misusing some $100,000 in public funds for takeout meals and mismanagement of the prime minister’s official residence.

Mr. Mandelblit has avoided giving interviews but has been outspoken at legal forums, often on camera.

During his time in the military, Mr. Mandelblit worked with human rights organizations, saying he valued their contributions in dealing with Palestinian complaints and helping uncover the truth.

He has more recently broken with Mr. Netanyahu on issues regarding land ownership in the West Bank, insisting on the evacuation of an illegal settlement outpost that Mr. Netanyahu and his political allies were trying to salvage.

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Mr. Mandelblit also opposed legislation to bar the police from issuing recommendations to charge public figures. After a concerted effort by allies of Mr. Netanyahu, legislation barring the police from issuing recommendations passed in December — but only on the condition that it would not apply to the current investigations against the prime minister.